New Owner

[Sambo]

This is my first post on the forum.. So I thought I'd post up some pictures of my tank and see what you guys think feedback apreciated.



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[Sambo]

Wow is this forum always this friendly to it's new members?

[Sarin]

I totally missed this thread.. Welcome to the Forum.

Anyway.. It looks like you picked up one of those Zilla Snake Kits.

Looks good, just a few things need to be fixed. I am assuming this is for a Ball Python.

Lose the dial thermometer and get a digital Thermometer AND Hygrometer with a Probe. Can be found at Walmart or any Hardware Store. Anywhere from $10-$20 each. Accurite is highly suggested.

Get another identical hide to the one you have now and place it on the other side of the tank. This way your snake doesn't have to choose between heat or security.

I do not see a thermostat. You must use the Under Tank Heater [UTH] with a thermostat or at least a light dimmer. Thermostats vary from $25-$200+. If you cannot afford a good quality thermostat, look up the Zoo-Med Reptitemp 500r Thermostat, very cheap and works well for 1 snake.

Just my opinion but I would lose the substrate and go with Newspaper/Paper towels or Aspen. Again, just my opinion.

Ditch the lamps. For one, they are HUGE. And 2, BP's need a decent humidity level (50-60%) and those lamps will suck any moisture from that cage. What you need to do is insulate 3 sides with foam board, and if you need to, cover the top screen with aluminum foil.

Make sure your hot side (where the UTH is) is sitting between 90-94F while the cool side/ambient 75-85F.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[wendhend]

Welcome to the forum, Sambo! Your set-up is very pretty. Do you have a ball python in there? If so, my suggestion would be to use an under tank heater on one side of the tank rather than the heat lamps. Ball pythons do better with belly heat, and lamps are not necessary. Do you have a picture of your snake to post?

[Chocolate Muffin's]

Welcome to the addiction. Give it time, people will respond and welcome you.

WELCOME!

[spk329]

Welcome

[singingtothewheat]

I'd definitely get rid of at least one light. They will suck the humidity out of your cage and your ball will be a dried out mess.

Everyone has different needs depending on their climate to begin with but in ohio I would think it would be fairly humid. You may do fine with an aquarium.

Go with an under tank heater that covers 1/2 to 2/3rds of the bottom, with a thermostat. You will have to tweek things depending on the depth of your substrate. I use paper towels / newsprint. Maybe not as pretty but also not nearly as big a mess and much more sanitary!

Invest in a temp gun so you know exactly what your temp are.

[Sambo]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Yes there is a "normal" bbp in this 20 gal. tank..







I've got a UTH it covers from the left side to the water bowl, it's a Exo Terra 4 watt..

The bulbs I run during the day are Exo 75 watt basking on the warm side and Exo 26 watt Repti-glo 2.0 on the cool side. At night I turn on an Exo 75 watt Heat glo on the warm side.

I cut a piece of plexi glass and put it over top the mesh on the lid and cut holes for the lights.. Which I found the idea on this website before I joined

According to my dial guage this current setup yields me between 50 and 60% humidity and ambient air is usually between 80 and 85. I keep my house thermostat at 70 degrees.

I never mist the tank I just keep the water bowl full and fresh.


My next upgrade will definately be monitoring systems...

[Sarin]

He's gorgeous.

Like I said before there's no need for the lamps. I would get rid of them and work from there. Your dial hygrometer most likely isn't giving you the right reading. They can be over 10% off sometimes. Same thing with your ambient temperatures.

Your thermostat is set way too low. Your UTH needs to be around 90-93 F.

And.. You still need another hide for the other side.

Other then that all looks well.

[Sambo]

When I said thermostat I meant the one for my home, I dont have the UTH regulated yet..

Thanks for the quick reply, probibly going to wal-mart tonight to pick up some digital stuff